The Cricket Match between Sussex and Kent, at Brighton

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

In 1846, the original painting by William Drummond and Charles Jones Basebe, on which this print is based, was exhibited at the gallery of print seller and publisher Henry Graves and Company in Pall Mall. The painting is now untraced.

When this print was published in 1849, ‘The Era’ newspaper included a short piece in praise of it. The author explained that ‘characteristic portraits of the players engaged in the match’ are included with ‘noble and other gentlemen, patrons of the noble art of cricket. The portraits [are] all taken from life by Mr. W. Drummond and Mr. C. J. Basebe.’ The article goes on to describe the engraving as ‘a gem’.

Portrait painter William Drummond produced a series of portraits of women for the ‘Book of Beauty’ by Charles Theodosius Heath (1785-1848). He also painted portraits of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and novelist William Makepeace Thackery. During the 1830s, Drummond lived at 1 Wellington Terrace, Waterloo Bridge; 15 Beaumont Buildings, Strand; and at 33 Newman Street. He exhibited two works at the Royal Academy, five at the British Institution and seven at the society of British Artists in Suffolk Street.
Charles Jones Basebe may have studied under English painter and writer George Dawe (1781-1829). He was best known as a miniature and portrait painter, and painted a number of portraits of cricketers, several of which are now in the collection at Lord’s Cricket Ground. He also painted a portrait of Prince Albert. Basebe lived in London and Brighton and exhibited 32 works at the Royal Academy and three at the Society of British Artists in Suffolk Street from 1835 to 1879. He died at his home in Islington in 1880.
George Henry Phillips was a printmaker miniaturist and painter. He produced etchings, line engravings and mezzotints of works by his contemporaries; mostly of portraits, religious and sporting subjects. He was based in London.

Places

England, Brighton, Sussex, East Sussex

Subjects

cricket, cricket stumps, cricket bat, topography, male portrait, cat, smoke, hill, boy, man, crowd, 19th century costume, frock coat, coat, waistcoat, dress coat, trousers, top hat, coat of arms, pavilion, house, windmill, church, tent/marquee, chimney, chair

Materials & Techniques

engraving

Artist

William Drummond
Charles Jones Basebe (c.1818 - 1880)
George Henry Phillips

Title

The Cricket Match between Sussex and Kent, at Brighton

Date

published 1 May 1849

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Frank T Sabin, July 1965

GAC number

7112